Winter Hiking in the Italian Dolomites

This will very much depend on the snow conditions at the time of travel. Between January and April, the Dolomites are usually covered in snow. If snow is present, all hikes will take place using snowshoes and poles. Your guide will provide the gear and equipment based on the snow conditions on the trails at the time of your departure, so it’s possible you’ll be using just your hiking boots, snowshoes, or crampons.

Snowshoes are a special type of footwear that enables you to spread your weight over a larger area, allowing you to move easily across powdery snow-covered terrain. If you have never tried this activity before, don’t worry! Snowshoeing is incredibly easy, comfortable, and safe. You simply clip your snowshoe to the outside of your hiking boot and off you go. You’ll be in the hands of experienced and trained local guides who know the area intimately, and who will guide you safely throughout the hike.

The local tap water is safe to drink. Please bring along your own reusable water bottles (at least 1.5 liters) to fill up at the mountain huts to avoid buying single-use plastic bottles.

As this is a center-based trip, you’ll return to the same hotel each night, meaning you’ll have daily access to your main luggage and only need to carry a small daypack with your essentials during the hikes. Please note that luggage space in the transfer vehicles is limited, so we recommend traveling with carry-on luggage only (suitable for cabin storage on planes). If you do plan to bring additional or oversized baggage, please inform the host in advance, as special arrangements or a luggage deposit may be required.

Marta Marinelli, raised in Italy’s serene Prosecco Hills, dreamed of global adventures, inspired by her father's travel stories. Her passion evolved into a career, backed by a decade of studies including degrees in international tourism and destination management. She’s worked in the adventure travel sector since 2012, living in Italy, the UK, and now sunny Portugal.

Over twenty years, Marta has explored over 55 countries, visiting remote areas like Ghana, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Haiti and Nepal’s Upper Mustang region. As a Senior Adventure Expansion Manager at Much Better Adventures, she focuses on creating life-changing experiences, ranging from multi-activity adventures, challenging treks to ultimate adventures in iconic places. She loves the challenge of finding the best local adventure hosts around the world, collaborating on adventures that offer genuine immersion, pushing beyond the beaten path and working on exclusive itineraries that challenge your comfort zone.

What makes her tick? Enabling people to live adventure-rich lives while positively impacting and empowering local communities around the world, generating sustainable opportunities for both the host, guides, community, and the environment.

You'll be accompanied by a local, expert, qualified Alpine guide, leading a group of just ten trekkers maximum. You will meet your guide on the morning of Day 2 of the trip. However, your host will provide you with all the details and info you need to meet your group for dinner at the hotel on Day 1. A WhatsApp group will also be created ahead of departure to facilitate communication.

If poor weather sets in (such as snowstorms or poor visibility), depending on the stage of the trek, your host will consider the conditions and plot an alternative route, which may involve sitting out any extreme weather in one of the huts. This is an unlikely event, but your hosts are experienced mountain guides with a lot of successful treks in this part of the world under their belt, so you are in safe hands.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers review the practical information available on the UK Government’s FCDO website, where you can find up-to-date advice by searching for your destination(s).

If you are based in the United States, you can also check the latest travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State.

For customers joining from other international locations, we recommend checking the official travel advice issued by your country of residence, as guidance may vary.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

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All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips typically consist of a mix of solo travelers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves, and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

The winter season in the Dolomites typically begins in early December and lasts through late March, often extending into April at higher elevations. During this time, daytime temperatures usually range between 23°F and 41°F, although colder conditions are common—especially in the early mornings and at higher altitudes.

Despite the chill, the region enjoys a high number of clear, sunny days in winter; the Dolomites are known as the sunny side of the Alps. However, due to the ongoing effects of climate change, snowfall cannot be guaranteed and conditions may vary from year to year. Regardless of snow cover, the Dolomites remain spectacular in winter, with dramatic peaks, peaceful trails, and crisp alpine air.

Please note that mountain weather can change quickly. On any given day—especially when hiking above 4,921 ft - it’s possible to experience sunshine, snow, wind and sleet within just a few hours. For this reason, we recommend packing several warm, waterproof and breathable layers, including gloves, a hat, and thermal base layers, so you can adapt to changing conditions and stay comfortable throughout the day.